Common people to get benefits of economic stability in 2020: Firdous.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan's special assistant on information and broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that common people of country will drive benefits of economic stability in 2020.

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan was speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, where she said the country's overall political and economic situation was analyzed in Tuesday's cabinet meeting. The premier had taken certain decisions keeping in mind the country's priorities at the start of 2019 and informed the cabinet members about that.

"2020 will be year of development and prosperity for people, 2020 will be year of relief to people, 2020 will be year of common people," she noted.

The special assistant said establishing shelters and langars was to show solidarity and sympathy with the poor. There was a Rs6-billion subsidy programme for food items to be introduced in the first week of January 2020, she said, saying that a Financial Assistance Card would also be issued.

Medical needs of the people will be fulfilled through the Insaf Health Card, she said, adding that setting up more shelters and langars in cities was PM Imran Khan's aim.

Speaking of economic indicators, Dr Awan said current account deficit decreased 73 percent during the ongoing year, while the foreign exchange reserves grew 14 percent and trade balance sunk 40 percent. Imports reduced compared to last year, while exports registered a 4.7 percent gain as opposed to the comparable period.

She said the cabinet was told there was a 6.6 percent improvement in services trade balance and a 17-percent growth in tax collection.

"We cannot fight the wars of the elite class but have to fight for those who are the 95 percent, the custodians of this country," Dr Awan said. She added that some 100 industries were shut down in the previous government's tenure in Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Gujranwala but the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)...